The Inheritance of Loss
by Kiran Desai
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Book Reviews of The Inheritance of Loss
Book Review: Couldn't finish it
Summary: 1 Stars
I've read some really good books that were given the Booker Prize, but this one I just don't get. I initially got it ONLY because of the cover with the golden medallion showing it as a Booker Prize winner. This book was so hard to read. I feel guilty for not finishing it. Maybe I shouldn't write a review until I finish it, but I started it months ago and tried to bargain myself to just read 10 pages a day, and I can't even commit to that.
The jumping around, the lack of a captivating story, the complicated overly written style, and undeveloped characters who you don't feel much for -- it all makes me wonder if the Booker Prize was given more for literary hype and pedigree than quality of writing, in this case. I will try to finish the book, but the fact that this is more of a chore (because I don't want to give up and I want to figure out if I'm missing out on something), rather than a treat makes my one star rating understandable. Perhaps, once finished (though I don't know how long it'll take me, honestly), I'll have a different view of this book. Right now, I just don't get it.
Book Review: DISGUSTING< GROSS< NASTY and just Weird
Summary: 1 Stars
The criteria for the award this won, must be how gross you can get. This book was assigned for Eng World Lit at Tennessee Technological University by teacher, Linda J. Null. She also assigned another gross book, that the chair for the English dept. Homer Kemp has no problem with. I previewed the book for my son, since we care about how he is educated, and found the book just plain nasty. The rape of a 14 year old girl is described and if that isn't bad enough, its described from the view of some pedophile watching in a closet also describing his repugnant physical reaction. What is educational about that?
Additionally, the book has a character describing how he is (forgive me but its in the book) picking feces out of his anus with his fingers while trying to defecate...again, call me crazy, but how is that literature??? ISN'T ANY ONE CHECKING THESE TEACHERS CHOICE OF BOOKS????? Apparently not. So, be your kids parent and check for yourself.
Book Review: Powerful, realistic
Summary: 5 Stars
A powerful novel, which kept me up reading every night. At once so many dimensions-a political novel, tackling issues of class, prejudice and race; one of the few works portraying the realities of the illegal immigrant underclass in America-and the hopes and dreams that started it all; the self sabotage that destroys families.
We read all the time about the success stories of immigrants to the US, but most people are unaware of the immigrants who are hopelessly trapped in poverty and who are worse off than where they left. The portrayal of the visa issue system is stunningly accurate, having observed this first hand for myself, in several countries. Not for those who view the world with rose tinted glasses, or don't want to accept the realities of the lives of many.
Book Review: Yuk
Summary: 1 Stars
Like "reading" a slow train wreck - achingly dull and painful at the same time. There is no effort to make the reader care about any of the characters - do you really want to feel only alternating disdain and pity all the way through any book? Surely that could not have been the writer's intention?Book Review: Well conceived, poorly executed
Summary: 1 Stars
Well conceived, poorly executed. The writing style feels like a first draft. The historical significance is portrayed in shambolic fashion. Our book club gave a poor rating, with many declining to finish the reading the novel.